Beck's career full of defining moments

Capistrano Valley High’s Jon Beck will play water polo at Loyola Marymount this fall. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Jon Beck's defining moment came and went without much hype.

The Capistrano Valley High two-sport athlete made headlines and stole the spotlight when he and his teammates swam to a record-breaking finish in the 400-meter freestyle relay at the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 finals in May. Beck, who swam the second leg, helped the Cougars clock a Division 1 and county record time of 3:02.02, which also propelled Capistrano Valley to securing its fourth team title in the past five seasons.

What a way to go out as a senior – Beck hugged and celebrated with his relay teammates on the pool deck after their record swim that actually broke the Cougars' own mark of 3:02.52 set in 2010.

"It was definitely exciting," Beck said. "When the last guy touched the wall, we all jumped up and started yelling and hugged each other."

Beck swam his best-ever split (45.87) in the 400 relay, but it did not serve as the defining moment of his senior year.

His personal triumph came ever so quietly during the Cougars' water polo season – one that most would like to forget.

After a talented support cast of five starters graduated last season, Beck found himself as the lone wolf, or Cougar, to step up and carry the load this year. As a senior captain, Beck had a tough assignment – to lead a young team with all eyes looking up to him.

He didn't even flinch and mainly led by example. Beck also put in the extra work in a sport that comes so easily to him.

"Jon has that pure talent that people desire to have," said Steve Yancey, aquatics coach at Capistrano Valley. "Our polo team was not good; we lost a core group of seniors, and we moved from D-3 to D-1. After his junior year, we both said, 'What do we do now?' He said, 'You get better.'

"Jon took it on to lead our group – he drove the polo team," Yancey added. "He's very humble, very quiet and leads by example. He's the most blessed with talent, but he's the hardest working player in my workouts."

Beck, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound utility player, had his best season ever in terms of statistics. He finished with 102 goals, 33 steals and 13 assists, and averaged 3.78 goals per game. Beck is No. 5 on the all-time career scoring list with 195 goals.

"Jon's only played two years and has 195 goals," Yancey said. "The top four guys played three years at the varsity level. That speaks volumes about his talent."

Despite the Cougars (1-7) finishing in a tie for last place in the South Coast League, it was Beck's overall leadership and day-to-day work ethic that showed his true spirit of success.

Beck earned first-team All-South Coast League honors, was named second-team All-CIF and third-team All-County, and was selected as a fourth-team All-American in water polo. He received the Cougars' team MVP award and was named the school's Athlete of the Year.

"This season was tough because I was the only senior returner – I was the main guy," said Beck, who also scored 93 goals as a junior. "I'm more offensive-minded and I use my speed. I have a pretty good shot from the outside and I can post up inside too. I love being in the water and really love the game. I like the physical part of it and the challenge."

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